Canada’s culinary scene has just crowned its champions for 2024, as Air Canada revealed the year's Top 10 Best New Restaurants at a celebrated event in Toronto.
The program, now in its 23rd year, highlights Canada’s dynamic and world-class culinary talent. “At Air Canada, we are thrilled to share the very best of our country with the world, and for more than two decades, this program has shone a spotlight on Canada’s vibrant, world-class culinary scene,” said Andy Shibata, Vice President of Brand at Air Canada.
“Food is an enriching part of travel experiences, and through this program which supports new businesses, we hope to inspire travellers with even more compelling reasons to explore our country.”
Handpicked by award-winning cookbook author and culinary journalist Tara O’Brady, the list was narrowed from over 30 restaurants across 16 cities, with O’Brady emphasizing the focus on community and culinary heritage.
“Every restaurant I visited told an eloquent story about its community, championing local ingredients and diverse culinary traditions,” she shared, noting that many of the top spots were run by couples who bring a personal touch to their establishments.
Here's the full list of the 2024 Top 10 Best New Restaurants in Canada:
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Sabayon (Montreal, QC): With an eye for detail, this refined Montreal spot pairs afternoon tea and dinner services with a memorable ambiance and Air Canada's Dish of the Year, a plate of grilled oyster mushrooms served with caramelized arlette and a cloud-like sabayon sauce.
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Mhel (Toronto, ON): Mhel’s open kitchen is a hub of creativity, serving a mix of Korean and Japanese flavours, including Air Canada’s Dessert of the Year, a simple yet decadent purin, a Japanese-style crème caramel.
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Maison de Soma (Mont-Tremblant, QC): This farm-to-table marvel presents dishes like a crunchy okonomiyaki with tropical undertones and the Somananas sour cocktail, both crafted with produce from its Laurentian land.
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Takja BBQ House (Toronto, ON): Bringing a sophisticated spin on Korean BBQ, this Toronto restaurant is celebrated for its dry-aged meats and banchan plates, earning the title of Sides of the Year.
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Café Malabar (Victoria, BC): Nestled in the Victoria Public Market, this kitchen stall delivers Keralan coastal cuisine, from fish chatty choru to flaky egg puffs, in a relaxed communal setting.
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Parapluie (Montreal, QC): A charming bistro with white tablecloths and French-inspired offerings, Parapluie serves up dishes like cloudlike tarragon eggs and trout in horseradish dill cream.
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Bar Prima (Toronto, ON): With a design that captures vintage glamour, Bar Prima earned Design of the Year, where diners indulge in classic dishes like beef tartare with chive beds and chili-laced accents.
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Fat Rabbit (St. Catharines, ON): This zero-waste butcher, grill house, and live-fire caterer redefines dining, with Air Canada recognizing it as Concept of the Year.
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Gary’s (Vancouver, BC): Located in Vancouver’s South Granville, this supper club-style restaurant from Bailey Hayward and Mathew Bishop charms with its menu of crudo, gem salads, and rabbit.
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Crumb Queen/Andy’s Lunch (Winnipeg, MB): Starting the day with Cloe Wiebe’s artisan breads and pastries, this duo establishment transitions to Andy Koropatnick’s lunch hour with fresh sandwiches and shareable plates.
Each of these remarkable restaurants not only celebrates the diversity and creativity of Canadian cuisine but also invites locals and travellers alike to savour the flavours and stories unique to their communities.
Whether you’re after a taste of classic bistro fare or an inventive farm-to-table meal, Canada’s top new restaurants of 2024 have something extraordinary to offer.
